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SPGA Champ Arrives at the Shore

Kohki Idoki strolled quietly into The Grille at Harbor Shores early this evening (Wednesday, April 23rd) for a brief night of festivities during which he was presented with a framed photo of the very first trophy presentation in the 75 year history of the Senior PGA Championship. That particular Championship was held at Augusta National, now the longtime home to the venerable Masters Tournament.

Idoki was the center of attention and found himself completely surrounded by a bevy of young women eager to pose for pictures with him and earn an autograph from the defending champion of the Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid when the formal ceremonies concluded. The Japanese star who was playing in his first tournament ever in America last spring at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri arrived in Benton Harbor this evening for the annual celebration of Media Day which tees off at 7:30am Thursday morning.

Tonight's private affair with executives from the PGA of America including CEO Pete Bavacqua, the Executive Committee of the Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, staff members and other officials from Harbor Shores was also attended by Japanese business leaders from Southwest Michigan and the Chicagoland area.

Idoki was presented with a small hand-crafted trophy representing the Harbor Shores logo by a Japanese member of the staff at Whirlpool Corporation and thanked by the PGA of America for being an honorable and outstanding Champion.

Idoki will be in a field of roughly 156 golfers who will play the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Club at Harbor Shores over the Memorial Day weekend next month as he defends his title, something he promised to do with great vigor during his brief comments to those assembled for the ceremonies tonight.

Idoki will participate in a Fireside Chat Thursday afternoon followed by a "stunt photo opportunity" later at the Inn at Harbor Shores.

Also in town today was Kerry Haigh, Chief Championships Officer for the PGA of America who spent a considerable amount of time with Harbor Shors Superintendent Brad Fry to review the course and discuss preparations and layout for the upcoming Championship.

In the photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market.com, PGA of America CEO Pete Bavacqua poses with Idoki and the framed photo gift alongside the Alfred S. Bourne Championship Trophy which bears Idoki's name as the 74th winner of the Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid.

Tickets for the upcoming major event at Harbor Shores are available now by clicking this link: